Not consulting captain, coach a joke: Akram

Waqar Younis and Shahid Afridi express resentment, PCB selects team without consulting the duo.

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has lashed out at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its selection committee for naming the UAE-bound squad without prior consultation with the coach and the captains.

Waqar Younis, Pakistan’s coach, and limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi expressed their resentment at the PCB’s decision which Mohsin Khan, chief selector, countered by stating it was not obligatory for them the take input from the duo.

“It’s a joke to select the team without consulting the coach and the captain,” Akram told The Express Tribune. “The duo has to marshal the team in the series and tournaments and it is not the selection committee which will have to bring the best out of the players on the field.”

The former captain added that the selection committee is formed to support the coach and the captain and it should not take decisions on team selection on its own.

“Cricket is a team game where you require efforts all the way from the board’s chairman to the physio and the trainers. If I was a chief selector, I would’ve definitely taken feedback from the coach and the captain before naming any squads.

“Also, with the World Cup just a few months away, we’re still mulling over captains while other teams have their formations ready for the event. This shows poor leadership qualities in the current PCB setup.”

‘SA series will be tough for Pakistan’

Akram, who played 104 Tests and 356 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) for Pakistan, has termed the upcoming series against South Africa a tough one and that Pakistan will have to work extra hard in order to prevail in the UAE.

Pakistan play two Twenty20 internationals, five ODIs and two Tests against South Africa in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the series starting from October 26.

“Pakistan are probably the favourites for the ODIs but things would not be the same for them in the Test series that will follow.

“The players will be under extra stress and pressure because of the spot-fixing controversy from the last tour and the series is going to be a tough test for them both on and off the field.”

Akram rues Amir’s forced absence

The former fast-bowler has also rued the forced absence of Mohammad Amir from the UAE-bound squad due to his provisional suspension following the spot-fixing allegations.

“Amir is a very talented player and he has proved himself in the whole world in just one year. Pakistan needs a player like him and I hope his problem is solved soon.”

Amir will appear in the International Cricket Council (ICC) hearing on October 30 and 31 in Doha against his provisional suspension imposed following the allegations.

Pakistan’s other suspended fast-bowler Mohammad Asif will also miss the series. Asif was set to miss the series regardless as the cricketer is banned from entering the UAE after he was deported having banned drugs in his possession.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2010.